Front control arm angles (relative to each other - not caster)
06-09-2015 | 07:49 PM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 162
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Front control arm angles (relative to each other - not caster)
I have both adjustable control arms and the aev brackets (added brackets just to see if I would feel a difference. I didn't). I am going to lower the caster a bit, and thought I might just drop to the 2.5" holes on the brackets rather than adjusting the arms. This got me wondering if control arm angles make any difference in handling or ride quality. (like the draglink and trackbar being parallel vs not parallel).
My hunch is that, given the same caster number, switching between the holes on the brackets and changing the control arm angles relative to each other doesn't make a difference. But thinking about it got me curious enough to ask.
My hunch is that, given the same caster number, switching between the holes on the brackets and changing the control arm angles relative to each other doesn't make a difference. But thinking about it got me curious enough to ask.
06-10-2015 | 02:49 AM
#2
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: CT
I had this conversation with somebody else. I ran the rancho brackets for about a year. Original plans was to keep both when i added my RK arms. Instead installed the arms by themselves. Honestly i felt little difference in the way the jeep felt over bumps. I adjusted the arms to keep the same caster @ 3.5 and running a double Carden.
06-10-2015 | 04:27 AM
#3
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
I had this conversation with somebody else. I ran the rancho brackets for about a year. Original plans was to keep both when i added my RK arms. Instead installed the arms by themselves. Honestly i felt little difference in the way the jeep felt over bumps. I adjusted the arms to keep the same caster @ 3.5 and running a double Carden.
06-10-2015 | 10:16 AM
#5
Thread Starter
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 162
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Yeah, that's what got me thinking about it. With the brackets, the lower arms are more parallel to the ground. The upper arms are still angled.
Using the bottom 4.5" holes, there is more of an angle between the arms. While not a big difference in angle, using the upper 2.5" holes would put the uppers a bit more parallel to the lowers. So I was just wondering if anyone had noticed if the actual angle on the upper arms made any real difference in ride, articulation, whatever. Doesn't sound like it.
Using the bottom 4.5" holes, there is more of an angle between the arms. While not a big difference in angle, using the upper 2.5" holes would put the uppers a bit more parallel to the lowers. So I was just wondering if anyone had noticed if the actual angle on the upper arms made any real difference in ride, articulation, whatever. Doesn't sound like it.
06-10-2015 | 11:05 AM
#6
JK Jedi
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 2
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Well changing arm mounting points/lengths will change geometry also. Im not to familiar with the brackets though to know how much it will change. You could always plug it in the 4 link calculator since its all on the jeep and easy to measure. That will show the antisquat and instant centers and such and how much it may change. As far as feeling it id say most wont notice it...
Articulation wise this is all irrelevant as the arms im doubting are your limiting factor.
Articulation wise this is all irrelevant as the arms im doubting are your limiting factor.
Last edited by Maertz; 06-10-2015 at 11:41 AM.